Jerry D'Amigo injured after two big hits from Robert Bortuzzo

Maple Leafs forward Jerry D'Amigo was on the receiving end of two huge hits from Robert Bortuzzo. One might be reviewed by the league.

By Adam Gretz Dec 16, 2013, 10:31pm EST

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With five of their top-six defensemen out of the lineup on Monday night against Toronto, the Pittsburgh Penguins had a lot of young guys trying to make a name for themselves.

One of those guys, Robert Bortuzzo, seemed to make it his mission to be a one-man wrecking crew. Maple Leafs forward Jerry D'Amigo was the unfortunate recipient of his carnage in the third period.

First, Bortuzzo was given a two-minute minor for an illegal check to the head for this hit in the third period that left D'Amigo shaken up on the ice.

Whether or not any supplemental discipline comes from the league it's a play that is sure to be reviewed given that it was a hit to the head.

Update: The NHL has already reviewed the play and the department of player safety called this "unavoidable head contact on an otherwise full body hit."

In looking at Bortuzzo/D'Amigo, we see unavoidable head contact on an otherwise full body hit. Will not be pursuing supplemental discipline.
— NHL Player Safety (@NHLPlayerSafety) December 17, 2013

It seems that the head was the point of contact, but was Bortuzzo targeting the head? Maple Leafs coach Randy Carlyle acknowledged after the game that Bortuzzo is taller than D'Amigo, but refused to add additional commentary until he saw the replay.

Carlyle pointed out Bortuzzo is taller than D'Amigo but declined further comment having not seen a replay.
— Seth Rorabaugh (@emptynetters) December 17, 2013

The Penguins had to play on Monday without the services of Deryk Engelland as he awaits the result of an in-person hearing for his hit to the head of Detroit Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader on Saturday night.

Even though D'Amigo had taken the hit to the head and was visibly shaken up, the Maple Leafs allowed him to return to the game for his next shift … and then Bortuzzo crushed him again along the boards. D'Amigo did not return after that hit.

Before this sequence of events Bortuzzo was also involved in an intense fight with Troy Brodie (who later fought Zach Sill) in the first period.

(Gif via @goldandorsmith)